Health Sector Contingency for Lembang Fault Disaster

The active Lembang Fault in West Java poses significant risks due to its extensive affected area and high population density. To address potential health crises, healthcare actors must develop an essential and effective preparedness plan, which includes implementing the health cluster command system, pre-hospital management, hospital disaster plans, and health volunteer management. Valuable insights gained from managing the 2022 Cianjur Earthquake have improved health services during disasters.

In response to these challenges, the West Java Provincial Health Office, with support from IKA FK UNPAD and Yayasan Project HOPE (YPH) and funded by Linde and Becton Dickinson, organized a Focus Group Discussion on Health Sector Contingency Plan for the Lembang Fault Earthquake Threat. The event took place on July 25, 2023, at the Harris Hotel and Convention Festival Citylink, Bandung.

"Through this discussion, we will plan the management of disaster response, including basic and referral health services, existing policies, available human resources and medical logistics, as well as the supporting communication system. While we hope that such a disaster will never happen, through this activity, we are making an investment before a disaster strikes (by preparing the health sector contingency plan)," said Drg. Juanita Patricia Fatima, MKM, Acting Head of the Provincial Health Office, during her opening remarks.

Over a hundred healthcare professionals from four cities and districts - Bandung, Cimahi, Bandung Regency, and West Bandung Regency - actively participated in the event. This diverse gathering included representatives from hospitals, health offices, BPBD, healthcare professional organizations, health volunteers, and various other stakeholders.

The discussion was enriched by the valuable contributions of distinguished speakers from prominent institutions, including The Crisis Health Center of the Ministry of Health, Kesdam III/Siliwangi, Pusdokkes Polri, and the Faculty of Earth Science and Technology - ITB. The event not only featured insightful presentations from these guest speakers but also provided a platform for firsthand accounts and experiences in dealing with the aftermath of the 2022 Cianjur Earthquake. Representatives from the Cianjur Health Office, RSUD Sayang, and IDI Cianjur shared their perspectives.

This activity serves as a steppingstone towards various other initiatives that contribute to the realization of the ambitious goal. The event signifies a significant advancement towards achieving a common objective - establishing an effective and collaborative disaster and health crisis response system for the healthcare sector. However, it is clear that further initiatives and efforts will be necessary to fully realize this ambitious vision.

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